Safe-lock



(No Model.)-

J. H. HULSE, W. E. 'BRAY & F. N. STEEN. SAFE 1.001;. V 'No. 554,12 Patented Feb. 4, 1.896.

AN DREW EGRAHAM PHDTO-LI'MQWASMNGTON. D C,

UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

JAMES H. I'IULSE, \VILLIAM ELSVVORTH BRAY, AND FREDERICK STEEN,

OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

SAFE-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,126, dated February L, 1896. Application filedllovemher 27,1894. Serial No. 530,074:- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that we, JAMESH. HULSE,

WILLIAM ELSWORTH BRAY, and FREDERICK N. STEEN, citizens of the United States, residing at Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake and Territory of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safe- Locks, of which the following is adescription.

Our invention relates to improvements in lockingmechanisms for doors of safes and similar receptacles, our object being to provide a construction which will be simple and strong, and at the same time is so arranged that breaking of the parts will not permit the look to be disturbed by unauthorized persons.

To this end the present device comprises in a general way a safe-door provided with a set of primary looking-bolts, together with means for operating these two sets of bolts, the parts being so combined that a proper party can withdraw the various bolts at will,

while an unauthorized party can not only not operate the bolts properly, but cannot withdraw them, even by destroying much of the operating mechanism.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a view of a door provided with our locking mechanism. Fig. 2 is a transverse view, partly in section, on lines 11 II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail, partly in section, showing the mechanism for withdrawing the locking-bolts from the outside of the door. Fig. 4c is a detail showing the pin for locking the bolts against unauthorized persons should certain portions of the mechanism be broken, and Fig. 5 is a detail on line V V of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A represents the front of a safedoor to which the locking mechanism is attached. 'While such a construction is not essential, the door is preferably made hollow with the walls a a a a and through such of these walls as may be desired the lockingbolts preferably operate.

The primary locking-bolts B projecting through the wall a of the door are carried by a plate B suitably guided in the necessary movements for operating the bolts, as by means of slotted extensions 6 fitting over headed projections 1) upon the inside of the door-front. Suitable mechanism is, of course,

set of bars 0 connected to the plate B, and also connected with mechanism for operating them, which operating mechanism will be described more fully hereinafter. Returning, now, to the connection between the bars 0 and the plate B, this preferably'comprises brackets 12 upon the rear of said plate, with which brackets angular projections 0 upon the ends of the bars are adapted to engage. It will be noticed that with the arrangement of parts just described it would be possible to break the bars 0 and then force back the plate B. In order to prevent this, a pin B fits loosely in a bracket b upon the plate B and rests upon one of the bars 0. A lug a projects from the inside of the door-front A into a groove 0 in the side of one of the bars 0, this groove being continued in the side of the plate B. Thus, because of the groove the lug a offers no resistance to the reciprocation of the bars C and the bolt B; but the pin B is so placed that should the bar supporting it be broken and fall from its bracket the pin will drop into the path of the lug and will therefore prevent any backward movement of the bolt-carrying plate. In order to insure the falling of the end of the bar as soon as broken, the angular projections are so shaped (as pointed or rounded) that when separated from that portion of the bar which is supported in another way (to be more fully described hereinafter) they will be in unstable equilibrium with their supportingbrackets.

In order to more securely lock the door, there may be provided one or more secondary locking-bolts D, which project through the top and bottom walls a of the hollow door and engage with the door-casing. These secondary bolts are in the arrangement of parts herein shown operated by the same bars 0 which reciprocate the primary bolts B,'and in the present instance this is effected by pro viding one end of each of the bolts D with teeth d, with which teeth engage a gear D, journaled upon the door-front'A. This gear D is in turn in mesh with a gear D upon'one end of a shaft D, j ournaled loosely in brackets (1- upon the door-front, and is provided at its other end with another gear, D, in mesh with teeth 0 upon one of the bars C. These shafts D are provided with flanges (1 which rest upon the bars 0 and thus support the shafts in their proper relation to the gears D, and by reason of the relation between the bars 0 and the shafts D it will be seen that should the bars be broken and fall the shafts, which rotate freely in their brackets, would fall also and thus break the connection between the gears D and D making it impossible to withdraw the secondary bolts, even should the primary bolts be forced back. For further security, means are also provided for locking the secondary bolts, and in the construction herein shown a casing E is placed about each of the bolts D, through which casings work suitably-guided bars F, the ends of which are adapted to enter recesses (1 formed in the secondary bolts D. These looking-bars are also preferably operated by the bars C, the connectionsf, F F f F, f, and 0 being similar to the corresponding parts for operating the secondary bolts D, and therefore needing no detailed description. The two sets of teeth 0 and c are so disposed with relation to each other that the set 0 will engage the gear F slightly in advance of the engagement of the gear D by the teeth 0 so that the locking-bars F will be withdrawn before any movement of the bolts D is attempted. The bolts D may be guided in their movements by the slotted portions (Z and the bolts d.

Obviously many means may be employed for reciprocating the bars 0; but that preferred and herein shown comprises a spindle M secured to the door-front and having loosely mounted thereon a disk N provided with teeth 71 in mesh with teeth 0 upon one of the bars C, in the present instance the lower one. It will be seen from this that any revolution of the disk must cause a movement of the bar, and in order to aid in this there may be, and preferably is, a set of teeth 0 provided upon the bar not engaged by the teeth n, this set being in mesh with a gear n journaled to the door-front and also engaging the teeth n.

In order to revolve the disk N, a series of disks m m m m are loosely mounted upon the spindle M, being separated by suitable washers m and each of the disks is provided with a slot m the slot in the disk at being slightly different from the slots in the other disks in that one of its sides m is inclined or shaped to present a cam-surface, as shown. Upon the disk N is a set of ways 0 between which loosely rests a bar 0 adapted to be moved up or down, such movement being guided, if necessary, in any suitable manner, as by pins. 0 entering slots 0 in the sides of the bar. The parts are so arranged that when the slots of the various disks m m and the guides upon the disk N are not in line the bar will rest upon the edge of the disks m m, being held in a chamber 5 provided for it in a casing S, to be hereinafter more fully described,but when the various slots are brought into line with the guides the bar will fall and thus connect the disk N with the others, so that any further movement of the disks m m will cause a corresponding movement of the disk N and consequently will operate the bars 0, in this way moving the bolts B and D.

The disk m is provided with a set of teeth m which mesh with a gear r, carried by a shaft 4", operated by the usual handle R in connection with the customary dial R. Thus rotation is imparted to the disk m and from the disk is transmitted to the others m m m. To effect this transmission, the disks are provided, as shown, with a series of seats or holes an adapted to receive pins m the pin upon the back of the disk on being adapted to engage the pin upon the front of the first disk m, and so on with the remaining disks. Thus, if the bar 0 is in its raised position, the disk on can be rotated by turning the knob R, and, when the disk has gone a certain distance, its pin will engage the pin upon the front of the disk m, thus causing the first disk 0% to be rotated. Further movement will rotate the next disk, and so on. Vhen the last disk m has been brought to its desired position with the slot under the bar 0, (the amount of rotation being, of course, i11- dicated by the dial R,) rotation in the reverse direction will cause the pin upon the middle disk m to pass from engagement with the pin upon the last disk and thus a second disk is set, the operation being continued until all of the slots have been brought under the bar 0 when it will fall, connecting the disks m m with the disk N. A forward turning of the handle of the dial will then withdraw the bars 0 and unlock the door, while a reverse turning will throw the locking-bolts into their keepers in the door-frame and, when the bars 0 have reached the end of their forward movement, the bar 0 will be raised from the slots by the cam-face of the slot in the disk m, any movement of the disk N being prevented by reason of the bars 0 having reached the end of their course. Further turning of the knob will cause the pins to engage each other and carry the slots out of line, to which position they can be returned only by one knowing the combination. By providing the series of holes on and making the pins removable, it will be readily seen that the combination can at any time be changed by altering the position of any pin.

In the construction shown a casing S i11- closes the disks, this casing being provided with a recess or chamber 8 for receiving the bar 0 when in its raised position. An opening or hand-hole s is formed in the side of the casing, so that access can be had to the pins for changing the combination. This casing is also used for supporting the bars O, and to this end ways 8 are formed in it, in which ways the bars slide. The bars being connected at their rear by a cross-bar G, this forms a shoulder which engages with the easing S, and thus limits the movement of the bars (3.

The operation of the lock is apparent. The entire arrangement is extremely simple, and yet presents a strong locking mechanism. No springs or similar parts are used which are apt to get out of order and there is comparatively little wear upon the parts used. Should the bars (3 be destroyed by aburglar or similar unauthorized person, the door is still locked by the secondary bolts, which cannot, because of the dropping of the shafts D and F be withdrawn, and is also locked by the primary bolts, because of the action of the pin B The secondary bolts cannot be withdrawn until the locking-bars F are retracted, and, even should the primary bolts be in the same manner pushed back, the door is still held closed by the locked secondary bolts.

Altogether, although the parts are comparatively few, they are so arranged that opening the door by one unacquainted with the combination is almost impossible unless the entire front be destroyed.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a bolt, a locking-bolt for said bolt, and means for operating said bolts from a com mon source; substantially as described.

2. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a bolt, a secondary bolt, a locking-bolt for said secondary bolt, and means for operating said bolts from a common source; substantially as described. A

3. A lockin g mechanism comprisinga base plate, a bar reciprocating thereon, a bolt, a locking-bolt for said bolt, and connections between said bolts and the bar for operating both bolts; substantially as described.

at. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a bar reciprocating thereon, a bolt, a locking-bolt for said bolt, and connections between said bolts and the bar for operating both bolts, said connect-ions being so disposed that in the unlocking movement of the bar the locking-bolt will be operated in advance of the main bolt; substantially as described.

5. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a bar reciprocating thereon, a bolt, a locking-bolt for said bolt, racks upon said bar, gears in mesh with said racks, and connections between said gears and the bolts for operating said bolts, said racks being so disposed with relation to each other that the one operating the lockin g-bolt withdraws said bolt from the main bolt before said main bolt is retracted; substantially as described.

6. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a bolt, a bar adapted to be reciprocated to operate the bolt, and mechanism supported by said bar for transmitting its motion to the bolt; substantially as described.

, 7. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a belt, a bar adapted to be reciprocated to operate the bolt, a rod provided with a flange resting upon said bar, said rod being connected to both the bar and the bolt for transmitting the motion of the former to the latter; substantially as described.

8. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a bolt, a bar provided with a rack and. adapted to reciprocate to operate the bolt, a rod provided with a flange resting upon said bar, a gear upon said rod in mesh with said rack, and connections between said rod and the bolt for transmitting the motion of the bar to the bolt; substantially as described.

9. A lockin g mechanism comprising a base plate, a bolt having a rack upon its inner end, a bar provided with a rack and adapted to reciprocate to operate the bolt, a gear, journaled upon the base-plate and in mesh with the rack upon the belt, a rod provided with a flange resting upon the bar, a gear upon the rod in mesh with the rack upon the bar, and a second gear upon the rod in mesh with the gear journaled upon the base-plate substantially as described.

10. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, means for reciprocating said bolt, means for locking said bolt in its extended position, and intermediate members supported by said reciprocating means, said members being in operative connection with the said reciprocating means for transmitting its motion to operate the lockin g means; substantially as described.

11. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a locking-bolt for said firstmentioned bolt, said locking-bolt being provided with a rack, a bar, means for reciproeating said bar, connections between said bar and the first-mentioned bolt for transmitting its motion to said bolt, brackets upon said baseplate, a rod loosely supported in said brackets, a gear upon one end of said rod in mesh with the rack upon the locking-bolt, a flange upon said rod resting upon said bar, and connections between the bar and the rod for transmitting the motion of the former to the latter; substantially as described.

12. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, abar connected to said bolt and provided with means for withdrawing the same, a pin in the path of withdrawal of the bolt and resting upon the bar, and a projection upon a fixed portion of the lock and in the path of the bolt, said pin normally resting upon the bar out of contact with the projection but being adapted to fall in contact therewith upon'the falling of the bar and thereby prevent withdrawal of the bolt; substantially as described.

13. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a bar connected to said bolt and provided with means for withdrawing the same, a pin loosely mounted upon said bolt and resting upon the bar, said pin being adapted to fall upon the removal of the bar, and a projection upon a fixed portion of the lock and in the path of the pin when in its fallen position; substantially as described.

14. A locking mechanism comprising a baseplate, a bolt, a bar connected to said bolt and provided with means for withdrawing the same, a pin loosely mounted upon said bolt and restin g upon the bar, said pin being adapted to fall upon the removal of the bar, and a projection upon the base-plate in the path of the pin when in its fallen position, the bar and bolt being provided with a groove in which the projection rests; substantially as described.

15. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a support, a bar connected with said bolt and provided with means for withdrawing the same, said bar also resting upon the support, means whereby should the bar be removed the bolt will be locked against withdrawal, and means for causing said bar to fall should it be broken; substantially as described.

16. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a bracket upon said bolt, a support, a bar resting upon said support, a pointed or rounded angular projection upon said bar resting in said bracket, said bar being provided with means for withdrawing the bolt, and means whereby should the bar be removed the bolt will be locked against withdrawal; substantially as described.

17. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a disk in connection with said bolt and adapted to reciprocate the same, a series of disks, means for rotating said disks, and means for connecting said disks-with the first mentioned disk when the disks are brought into a predetermined relation one to the other, whereby the first disk may be rotated with the other disks and thereby oper ate the bolt; substantially as described.

18. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a bar provided with a rack connected to said bolt, a disk provided with a gear in mesh with said rack, a series of disks, means for rotating said disks, and means for connecting said disks with the firstmentioned disk when the disks are brought into a predetermined relation one to the other, whereby the first disk may be rotated with the other disks and thereby operate the bolt; substantially as described.

19. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a bar provided with a rack connected to said bolt, a disk provided with a gear in mesh with said rack, a second bar provided with a rack connected to said bolt, a gear in connection with the disk and the rack upon the second bar, and means for operating the disk; substantially as described.

20. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a disk having a slot in connection with said bolt and adapted to reciprocate the same, a series of disks having slots, means for rotating said series of disks, and a bar adapted to lie in the slots in the disks when said disks are in a predetermined relation one to the other; substantially as described.

21. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a disk having a slot in connection with said bolt and adapted to reciprocate the same, a series of disks having slots, means for rotating said disks, a bar adapted to lie in the slots in the disks when said disks are in a predetermined relation one to the other, and guides for said bar; substantially as described.

22. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a disk havinga slot in connection with said bolt and adapted to reciprocate the same, a series of disks having slots, means for rotating said disks, a bar provided with grooves adapted to lie in the slots in the disks when said disks are in a predetermined relation one to the other, and pins upon said first disk entering the grooves in the bar; substantially as described.

23. A locking mechanism comprising a base-plate, a bolt, a bar provided with a rack connected to said bolt, a spindle upon said base-plate, a disk having a slot and provided with a gear in mesh with said rack, a second bar provided with a rack connected to said bolt, a gear between the disk and the rack upon the second bar, a series of disks provided with slots also upon said spindle, a bar provided with grooves adapted to lie in the slots in the disks, pins upon the first disk e11- tering the grooves in the bar, and means for operating the set of disks; substantially as described.

In witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES H. I'IULSE. W'ILLIAM ELSWORTH BRAY. FREDERICK N. STEEN. Vitnesses:

HENRY VEREHOFF, CHARLES H. SPENCER. 

